A common challenge faced by trail camera users is battery life. Longer battery life allows for extended periods of monitoring and reduces the need for frequent battery replacements. Not only does this minimise the risk of missing important footage, but also helps to reduce the impact of disturbance to an area caused by repeat visits from people. Additionally, longer battery life can save money from having to replace batteries too soon.
By optimising battery usage, you can enhance the overall effectiveness of your trail camera setups. In this article, we will explore effective strategies to extend the battery life of your trail camera, helping you to minimise the chances of missing the wildlife footage you’re after.
Removing the battery tray from a Browning trail camera
Selecting the right type of battery and choosing good quality batteries will ensure you get the most battery life out of your camera.
The type of batteries used in a trail camera directly impacts its functionality and performance. Trail cameras require good quality batteries to trigger quickly and provide power for functions such as recording video and using an infrared LED flash at night.
When selecting batteries for your trail camera, it’s crucial to choose the right type. Lithium batteries are generally recommended due to their high energy density and longer lifespan compared to alkaline batteries. We have tried many batteries at NatureSpy and our batteries of choice in most scenarios are Energizer Ultimate Lithium AA. Although lithium batteries are more expensive than alkaline batteries, we always recommend lithium batteries as they far outperform alkaline batteries for reliability and battery life. Despite being cheaper, alkaline batteries are not as cost effective as lithium batteries in a trail camera. Click here to learn more about why battery choice matters with camera traps.
Rechargeable batteries can be a cost-effective and environmentally friendly choice, but ensure they are compatible with your trail camera and invest in a quality charger. Many trail cameras are not compatible with rechargeable batteries as the lower voltage of rechargeable batteries compared to lithium batteries simply isn’t sufficient to power a trail camera. Although it may power on and appear to be functioning, trail cameras require much more power when operating at night. Check out this article for a deeper dive into rechargeable batteries and camera traps.
Always check if rechargeable batteries are compatible with your model of camera. If they are, we recommend Panasonic Eneloop Pro rechargeable batteries as they are designed for higher energy consumption technology, such as trail cameras. Examples of trail cameras that perform well with rechargeable batteries include the Browning Recon Force Elite HP5 and Spec Ops Elite HP5 models, as well as the Browning Recon Force Elite HP4 and Spec Ops Elite HP4 cameras.
Panasonic Eneloop Pro rechargeable batteries are designed for higher consumption tech
A good quality trail camera will perform in temperatures well below zero. For example, Browning trail cameras are built to handle -34°c, but the weak link is battery performance:
For consistent battery performance, avoid using a mixture of different brands of batteries. Also avoid mixtures of new and old batteries in a trail camera.
Battery meter readings in trail cameras can be unreliable. Use a multimeter to take a more accurate reading directly from the battery tray. Many modern camera traps run off a 12v system (e.g. Bushnell, Browning), which means they need at least 12v of power to function properly. For example, a Browning Recon Force trail camera battery tray will read 14v to 14.5v with a fresh set of Energizer Ultimate Lithium AA batteries. The closer the multi-meter reading gets to 12v, the closer the camera is to not functioning. In this scenario, consider swapping out batteries when they are below 13v to ensure continued operation of the camera, but hold on to these used batteries for use in lower consumption devices like TV remotes, computer keyboards and mice.
A more accurate battery reading directly from a Browning battery tray using a multimeter
Now you’re up and running with the best batteries for your camera, it’s time to consider adjustments to camera settings to improve battery life. We’ll also consider the use of external power options.
There are a range of trail camera settings you can adjust to improve battery life. The recommendations listed below will not be suitable in every scenario, but even adopting just a few of these can help conserve battery power.
Capture delay – Capture delay (also known as image delay) is the amount of time a camera pauses for after recording, before it’s ready to go again. Setting a capture delay can reduce the amount of repeat triggers on the same animal, for example when a squirrel sets up shop to eat a pinecone in front of the camera. A delay of around 60 seconds is usually a good compromise between making sure the camera is ready to trigger often, but not triggering over and over on the same animal.
Video length – This is a balancing act. Set too high, you end up with empty footage, but set too low, you might miss something interesting. 20 seconds per clip is a good starting place in most scenarios that can be adjusted once you have some sample images. The shorter the video, the longer the batteries will last. Consider 10 second videos for a boost in battery efficiency.
Number of photos – 3-5 photos per trigger is usually sufficient to confidently identify a species as it moves past a camera. The lower the number, the less work the camera is doing and the longer your batteries will last.
Modifying time-lapse intervals – Increasing the time between each photo in time-lapse mode will conserve battery power.
Capture timer – Some trail cameras feature a capture timer option, allowing the user to set a window of time in the day when the camera is active. For example, this can be set to night-time for nocturnal species, or dawn only to pick up spikes in wildlife activity in some areas.
Trigger sensitivity – An overly sensitive trigger may cause false triggers, typically caused by foliage moving in the wind. False triggers can eat into battery life by producing empty clips. Some cameras provide an option for trigger sensitivity that can be reduced if you are experiencing this issue. Beware that reduced trigger sensitivity can mean that small mammals and birds may not trigger the camera. Note that the trigger sensitivity option on compatible Browning trail cameras is labelled as ‘Detection Range’: The longer the range setting, the more sensitive the trigger.
Flash power – The infrared LED flash in a trail camera can be demanding on battery power. Some trail cameras offer options to reduce the brightness of the flash, resulting in better battery life. For example, Browning Recon Force Elite HP5 and Spec Ops Elite HP5 trail cameras offer three IR Flash Range settings: The ‘Economy’ and ‘Long Range’ settings are more efficient, compared to the brighter but slightly more power-hungry ‘Blur Reduction’ setting.
Adjusting the flash power on a Browning camera trap
Explore external power options to supplement your trail camera’s battery life. Solar panels and external battery packs can provide a reliable source of power, especially for long-term monitoring or in areas with limited access for battery replacement. External power compatibility options vary across trail camera manufacturers. For example, Browning produce a standalone solar panel for Browning trail cameras. Other camera models come with built-in solar charging, such as the SpyPoint Link Micro Solar. Although a solar panel adds extra upfront cost to a trail camera, it can save money in the long run.
The SpyPoint Link Micro Solar has a built in solar panel and rechargeable battery
A little maintenance and care is in the final stage in keeping your trail camera’s batteries running as they should.
Regularly clean the camera’s battery contacts and inspect for any signs of corrosion or damage. Dirty or corroded contacts can hinder the flow of power and reduce battery efficiency. Use a soft cloth or brush to clean the contacts gently.
When not in use, store the trail camera and batteries in a cool, dry place. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for long-term storage to maintain battery health.
Energizer Ultimate Lithium AA batteries – our go-to for trail cameras
By following these strategies, you can significantly extend the battery life of your trail camera. Choosing the right batteries, implementing power-saving settings, and taking proper care of your camera will help to ensure uninterrupted monitoring. Remember to consider external power options for longer monitoring periods and monitoring in remote locations.
Unleashing wild captures with enduring trail camera battery life!
Even with optimal battery management, unexpected issues may arise. Here are a few troubleshooting tips to consider:
Restoring a Browning trail camera to default settings
Not all trail cameras are compatible with rechargeable batteries. Check your camera’s user manual for compatibility or seek recommendations from the trail camera manufacturer online.
It’s recommended to clean the battery contacts whenever you notice signs of dirt or corrosion. This can vary depending on climate, season and camera location.
Power saving settings do not significantly impact a camera’s performance when configured appropriately. They are designed to minimise power consumption through options such as adjusting the motion sensor sensitivity or reducing the power of the infrared LED flash at night.
Yes, extreme temperatures, both hot and cold, can affect battery performance and lifespan. Cold weather can cause lithium batteries to fail below -15°c and alkaline batteries to fail below 5°c.
Yes, you can explore alternative power options such as solar panels and external battery packs to supplement your trail camera’s battery life. Options vary across different trail camera manufacturers.
Lithium batteries are the best choice in sub-zero temperatures
Article by Ed Snell – Project Support & Development at NatureSpy
With proceeds generated by our online shop, NatureSpy is proud to support a variety of projects that use trail cameras for wildlife conservation. From wolves in Idaho, to elusive wildcats in Scotland and to majestic elephants in Africa. Head over to our Project Pages to learn more about our conservation project partners.
